HEADLINES
Families await as 2014 officer's body returns
Record West Bank settlement tenders 5,667 units
Herzog's historic state visit to Zambia

The time is now 9:01 AM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.

Good morning. This is a 9:00 AM update on Israel, the region, and the Jewish world, with clear-eyed context to help international audiences understand the stakes around security, diplomacy, and daily life.

In Israel, security remains the central frame as political and diplomatic developments unfold. Hamas has signaled that the body of an Israeli officer held since 2014 will be returned to Israel this afternoon, with the transfer expected through the Red Cross and followed by forensic identification and family briefings. Israeli officials have cautioned that identification and formal announcements will come only after those procedures are completed and families have been notified. At the same time, Israel continues to enforce and manage security operations in the border areas and along populated corridors as it weighs the next steps in wake of ongoing ceasefire arrangements.

Across the West Bank, tenders for a record number of settlement housing units in 2025 have been published, totaling 5,667 units and accommodating roughly 25,000 residents. The bulk of these tenders are in Maale Adumim and Ariel, with plans also advancing a new neighborhood in Geva Binyamin (Adam) southeast of Ramallah. The announcements have drawn sharp criticism from Peace Now and opponents of settlement expansion, who argue that the moves push the country farther from a two-state framework and risk eroding prospects for a negotiated peace. Israeli officials contend the plans are legal planning processes and are separate from any final-status agreement, while observers note the steps’ potential to reshape demographics and governance on the ground.

On the domestic front, opposition leaders are pushing for early elections and arguing for policy action on draft-dodging concerns. The discussions are taking place as lawmakers and ministers navigate the winter session and the political timetable, with the potential for significant implications for how security priorities and social programs are funded and executed in the near term. Additionally, the government-approved package of support for long-term military service members—worth about 3.25 billion shekels—highlights the administration’s emphasis on recognizing and sustaining the civilian and family support structures that underpin national security.

Humanitarian and civilian life issues are also prominent. In Tel Aviv, a wave of kindergarten closures due to staffing shortages threatens to affect thousands of young children as the city warns that a significant number of classrooms may shut daily in the coming weeks. The Education Ministry has not issued a public response yet, and the broader national context includes persistent teacher shortages that have affected classrooms across the country this school year.

In Gaza and southern Israel, military activity continues to shape daily life and strategic calculations. Israeli forces have been operating to neutralize threats and to dismantle infrastructure used by militants, including tunnels, with operations described as part of broader ceasefire implementation efforts. Meanwhile, reports from the Gaza front include ongoing discussions about the status of hostages and the movement of remains under international supervision. The Red Cross and other international actors remain involved in the process, underscoring the fragility of ties between ceasefire commitments and on-the-ground conditions.

Diplomatically, Israel is renewing efforts to expand its international engagements. President Isaac Herzog’s historic state visit to Zambia underscores a broader endeavor to revive ties with Africa and diversify diplomatic relationships, signaling a long-term push to build regional partnerships beyond traditional spheres. In religious and intercultural affairs, a Vatican meeting highlighted a push for a two-state solution in a broader international context, while ongoing international reporting continues to examine how global actors view the region’s prospects for peace and security.

On the international stage, a number of developments reflect the wider geopolitical context. Reports out of Europe describe concerns about extremist networks and diaspora security, with a Belgian parliamentarian highlighting perceived Hamas support in parts of Europe. In other corners of the world, a variety of analyses and coverage consider the broader implications of Iran’s regional posture and its stance toward the United States, while Qatar and other actors face scrutiny over information operations connected to international institutions.

Within the Jewish world and diaspora communities, incidents and fundraising efforts reflect ongoing concerns for security and resilience. In Toronto, a synagogue experienced vandalism, reinforcing calls for sustained funding for security measures at Jewish houses of worship. In other communities, public figures and religious leaders continue to debate how to balance safety, religious liberty, and civic responsibilities in an era of heightened threat perception.

At the political and legal edges, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced procedural movements regarding his trial, with developments that may influence the political climate and public discourse in the near term. In parallel, security-focused policy shifts continue to shape the operational environment along Israel’s borders, including measures to counter drone-based smuggling and cross-border threats that threaten stability in cross-border regions.

For audiences seeking broader background, the region’s dynamic combines a security-focused Israeli stance with ongoing international diplomacy, demographic and settlement questions in the West Bank, and a complex array of internal political pressures. The United States continues to watch carefully and has signaled a preference for a path that avoids unilateral territorial moves that could undermine a sustainable peace framework, while supporting Israel’s security needs and its partners in the region.

That is the latest snapshot at 9:00 AM. We will continue to monitor the pace of events, the status of hostages and remains, settlement planning and implementation, domestic political debates, and international responses as they develop. This is the kind of moment when careful, restrained reporting helps audiences understand not just what happened, but why it matters for regional stability and for the people whose lives are most affected.

Thank you for tuning in to this Israel Today: Ongoing War Report update.
I'm Noa Levi. Stay safe and informed.
Keep in mind that this AI-generated report may contain occasional inaccuracies, so consult multiple sources for a comprehensive view. Find the code and more details in the podcast description.

SOURCES
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<a href="https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/art